Lewis Hamilton described Max Verstappen’s decision to stay at Red Bull Racing as ‘easy,’ but an analysis published by GPblog presents a completely different view. The argument is that the Dutch driver may be facing a challenge that no champion has ever overcome in the history of Formula 1.
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Hamilton was asked in Zandvoort about Verstappen’s new contract and initially avoided giving a strong opinion. Later, however, he stated: “The easiest thing is always to stay where you are comfortable,” adding that the Dutchman’s stay at Red Bull ‘was not a bad choice’.
The point is precisely that the idea that staying with a familiar team always represents the simplest path. No Formula 1 champion has managed to win titles in two different periods defending the same team, something Verstappen intends to try by continuing at Red Bull after a first successful cycle.
Examples like Michael Schumacher, who won his first titles with Benetton (now Alpine) before triumphing with Ferrari, and Hamilton himself, champion with McLaren and later with Mercedes. Juan Manuel Fangio also appears among drivers who were champions with different teams, while Sebastian Vettel won his titles only with Red Bull, but not in two distinct cycles.
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Another important factor is that Verstappen decided to stay even after the departure of key team members and intends to build a new period of competitiveness with Red Bull.
Therefore, it can be said that Verstappen is not choosing the most comfortable path. If he becomes champion again with Red Bull in 2027, 2028, 2029, or even 2030, he will have achieved something no other champion has done, making his stay at the team an unprecedented challenge.
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